Hanna and the Hitman - Honey Phillips Page 0,5

that Imperial cruisers are inspecting ships in this sector. You know what will happen if they find her. At least we made a good profit on the other one.”

To her horror, they started fitting the hoist to her cage.

“Khuda!” she cried as the cage rose off the ground.

Her friend watched her sadly. “Have courage, my friend.”

“Courage?” She choked back a hysterical laugh. “I don’t have any courage.”

“I think you have more than you realize, but I will pray to Napisten that you find a kind master.”

One of the Derians laughed. “Maybe a whole bunch of them if one of the whorehouses wants you.”

At least that fate had not befallen her. Instead, she had been dumped out in a huge, freezing warehouse. After a quick, unenthusiastic auction, Maakin had won her. And she had gone from one cage to another.

But then Aidon had come along and freed her. She gave a grateful look at the big warrior striding along in front of her as she remembered Khuda’s advice about finding a protector. Perhaps the Kheer’s prayers had worked after all.

Chapter Three

The female was still following Aidon when he reached his ship, and a certain begrudging admiration filled him. He had not set an easy pace, and even though he had known that she had slipped several times, she didn’t complain or ask him to slow down. Instead, she scrambled to her feet and kept going.

He reached in his pocket for the controls to unlock the ship, but as he did, two of the planet’s natives stepped out of the shadows surrounding the ship. Tall and broad-shouldered with shaggy white fur and long nails and claws, they made an impressive display. He had no doubt that he could take them, but it would be a long and vicious battle. His blood pumped eagerly at the thought, and he prepared to change form.

Then he heard a slight gasp from behind him, and a small, cold hand grasped his arm. The female was looking to him for protection? He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had expected anything from him unless they were paying him. And if there was a battle, she would undoubtedly be hurt. He sighed.

“Why have you blocked my path?” he asked, using the supercilious inflection common to a Kaisarian priest. “You have no reason to stop one who is about the business of his God and his Emperor.”

“You are no more Kaisarian than I am,” the lead Hothian said calmly.

They had detected his true identity? He would have sworn that that was impossible.

“I have no idea—”

The leader shifted position, glowing blue eyes burning into his, and Aidon abandoned the attempt to prevaricate.

“What do you want?” He discarded the smooth, cultured tones of the priest and used his natural cold growl. He felt rather than saw the female look up at him, but she didn’t step away. If anything, she moved closer.

The Hothian followed the slight movement. “You are taking the human off world?”

“She has arranged for passage with me.”

“Really?” A vast depth of disbelief was rendered in the single word. The Hothian looked at Aidon’s female. “Do you leave of your own free will?”

“Yes.” Her voice was soft but utterly determined, and Aidon looked down to see her raise her chin defiantly. An unexpected pride filled him, and to his astonishment, he found himself putting his arm around her and pulling her closer. She didn’t hesitate to burrow into his side.

“Very well.” The leader shook his head and looked back at Aidon. “We have need of your services.”

“I’m not available. I’m leaving today.”

“And I am afraid that won’t be possible. It appears there is an issue with your ship’s registration.”

A growl erupted before he could call it back. “There’s no problem with my ship.”

“Unfortunately, there is. We anticipate the delay will last approximately one week. By an extraordinary coincidence, the task we wish you to perform could take place within that time frame.”

This time, Aidon made no attempt to suppress his growl. “You can’t make me take a job for you.”

“You are quite right, of course. But the delay will occur in any case. Wouldn’t you rather earn some extra credits while you wait?”

“I have plenty of credits. That is not the only reason I take jobs.”

“I know. And that is why we have chosen you for this one.”

The leader’s eyes flicked back to Aidon’s human. “Perhaps we could discuss it inside, in a climate more suited for your…passenger.”

Fuck! Aidon should have realized that she was huddled next to him